Innovative Pet Licensing Solution Brings New Value To Mandatory Pet Tag Program

Peterborough’s pet licensing season is officially upon us, with renewals due by January 31st. Peterborough Humane Society is reminding the community that this year the licensing process is much easier thanks to its partnership with DocuPet, a social enterprise and the country’s leading provider of pet tag, lost pet recovery, and pet licensing services.

“Peterborough residents no longer have to visit the Humane Society to purchase their pet licences, as the whole process can now be done online by simply visiting peterborough.docupet.com or by calling 1-855-249-1370,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director at Peterborough Humane Society.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

Licensing dogs and cats is mandatory in the City of Peterborough. When licensing, pet owners can choose a standard city tag or, for an additional fee, they can select from any of more than 25 designer tag options. They can also choose to add their pet’s name and their phone number to each tag.

The fee for an annual pet licence varies, depending on whether the animal is a dog or cat, and intact or altered, as well as time of year the license was purchased. Senior discounts are also available for residents over the age of 60. Licences are valid until January 31st of the following year.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

“Pet licences are really important for the provision of animal welfare and public safety here in Peterborough,” adds Morey. “Properly identified animals are five times more likely to be returned home safely, reducing the number of stray animals that enter our shelter and keeping families together.”

Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

Peterborough pet owners can license their dog or cat online at peterborough.docupet.com, or by calling 1-855-249-1370 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Friday.

They may also visit to purchase a license in person. DocuPet will mail tags and an information package to pet owners within two business days, regardless of how the licence is purchased.

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Newly Expanded Meerkat Exhibit Grand Opening November 23rd At Riverview Park & Zoo

Riverview Park & Zoo (RPZ) has been able to expand its indoor meerkat exhibit by two and a half times its original size with the generous contributions from the community, including the 10th Anniversary Fun Run and a significant donation from 100 Men Peterborough.

Installed in-floor heating, high tech ventilation, improved lighting and new enrichment décor will provide a great indoor environment for the meerkats that call the zoo home this winter.

“It is because of generous community members that we are able to move forward on exhibit expansions and RPZ conservation efforts,” says Jim Moloney, Manager and Curator.

Grateful to all the contributors who made it possible, RPZ is hosting a grand opening of the exhibit on November 23rd. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. This will be your chance to get a closer look at the meerkat family who have been off exhibit temporarily, waiting patiently for their new home to be ready.

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The Ontario SPCA & Peterborough Humane Society Kicks Off iAdopt For Holidays Adoption Campaign

The Ontario SPCA and Peterborough Humane Society is asking you to add a special someone to your holiday list—and family. Give an animal the gift of a loving home during iAdopt for the Holidays, a national adoption campaign to find homes for as many animals as possible during a time of year when families are together and can help their new pet settle in.

iAdopt for the Holidays is a program of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society that runs until December 31 at participating SPCAs, Humane Societies and rescue groups across Canada. Last year, more than 3,600 animals from across Canada found their forever homes during the iAdopt for the Holidays campaign. 

“The holidays are actually a great time to welcome a new furry companion into your life,” says Daryl Vaillancourt, Chief, Humane Programs & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “Together as a family, you can spend time with your new pet and help them settle into their new home. Our focus is finding the right home for every adoptable animal to help ensure the matches we make are lifetime matches.”

Potential adopters take part in the science-based Meet Your Match® program, which matches their personality and lifestyle with the animals awaiting adoption. The adoption process, which is used at all 12 Ontario SPCA and Humane Society animal centres across Ontario including Peterborough, helps ensure adopters are going home with their most compatible match. 

All cats and dogs available through the Ontario SPCA are spayed or neutered, microchipped, up-to-date on vaccinations and come with a gift of one month of pet insurance.

Animals adopted from the Ontario SPCA or the Peterborough Humane Society during the iAdopt for the Holidays campaign will be entered in a draw for a chance to win free pet food for a year from Royal Canin. 

To change an animal’s life during iAdopt for Holidays, visit iadopt.ca.

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The Zoo Made Quite A Splash For Zoo Otter Splish On His Birthday

For a Riverview Park & Zoo otter named Splish, it was definitely a 13th birthday to remember on Tuesday (October 15th).

Splish is the oldest male otter, and is one of the zoo’s original otters—having come to Riverview in 2007 when they first opened the Otter Exhibit. Zookeepers made a splash for him on his birthday, serving up his fave delights on a platter. 

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

“Zookeepers prepared some special enrichment for him and the other otters to mark the occasion,” Zoo Manager and Curator Jim Moloney tells PTBOCanada. “They put some small fish out on the floating raft—in the shape of the number 13—and also made coloured ‘fishsicles’ (basically ice blocks with shrimp and smelt in the ice) for them to chew on. One was made in the shape of a birthday cake.”

Moloney adds that they let Splish into the pool exhibit first so could put a dent in his birthday treats before the other otters joined in. “We gave him a head start because the two young pups, Bolt and Lawrence, are so quick to grab up any treats we put out. The birthday boy seemed to love it,” he says.

Photo of Splish courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

The zoo’s animal enrichment program is a vital aspect of their Animal Wellness Plan. “The Zookeepers provide enrichment in a variety of forms for the animals as part of their daily animal care routines,” Moloney adds. “That being said, the Zookeepers do like to keep things fun and this is a great example of their dedication and creativity.”

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New Meerkat Exhibit To Open To Public At End Of October, In Meantime Meerkats Chillin' Out

The Meerkats, who are always a popular attraction with zoo-goers at the Riverview Park & Zoo, are currently off exhibit… but for good reason.

Meerkat Exhibit under renovation (Photo via Riverview Zoo Facebook page)

The zoo says in a Facebook post that they are busy growing and improving the indoor Meerkat Exhibit and will have it ready by the end of October, so in the meantime the Meerkats are keeping warm in a temporary room.

Meerkat Exhibit under renovation (Photo via Riverview Zoo Facebook page)

While that reno is happening, have a look at some Meerkat pictures from the zoo…

Photo via Riverview Zoo Facebook page

Photo via Riverview Zoo Facebook page

Photo via Riverview Zoo Facebook page

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Reindeers Shed Their Velvet At Riverview Park & Zoo

The Peterborough Riverview Park & Zoo recently shared some amazing photos on their Facebook page of reindeers shedding their velvet. 

Here is the velvet falling off the antlers…

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

It almost looks like it’s melting off the antlers…

“Velvet is a furry covering over antlers that actually helps them develop,” Zookeeper Cherese explains.

“Velvet is made up of skin, blood vessels and soft fur. As it dries up, reindeer rub it off on trees and rocks to reveal the bone that makes up their antlers.”

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

Watch some video the zoo sent us below of a reindeer removing her velvet…

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Mobile Animal Units In Peterborough Prevented 2,000 Potentially Unwanted Pets

In just three days in Peterborough from August 16th to 18th, a mobile unit partnership spayed and neutered 48 animals—preventing close to an estimated 2,000 potentially unwanted kittens and puppies, and provided wellness examinations to 42 animals who may not have otherwise received the care.

In partnership with the Peterborough Humane Society, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s SPCA Mobile Animal Wellness Services unit and the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society’s Mobile Wellness Unit were in Peterborough for this special event. The two state-of-the-art mobile units were stationed at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre.

Photo of mobile unit courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

“The Peterborough Humane Society is incredibly thankful for the support provided by our friends at the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society and Niagara SPCA and Humane Society to bring mobile wellness services to our community this past weekend,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director, Peterborough Humane Society.

Photo of mobile unit courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

The mobile units have been traveling across the province this summer in a collaborative effort to reduce pet overpopulation and reach underserved pet owners. Only five percent of pet owners who brought their pet to the mobile clinic in Peterborough had a regular veterinarian.

“Many people accessing these services don’t have a regular veterinarian for routine care,” says Daryl Vaillancourt, Chief, Humane Programs & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “These mobile clinics ensure pets receive basic care and give us an opportunity to talk to pet owners about pet care and the importance of establishing a relationship with a local veterinarian for regular checkups.”

Left to right: John Greer, Shawn Morey & Daryl Vaillancourt

“This is a great example of the collaborative effort of like-minded humane societies,” says John Greer, Executive Director, Niagara SPCA and Humane Society.

“With our mobile efforts we are able to reach into communities and provide services that they would not otherwise be able to receive, making for healthier animals and communities.”

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Ontario SPCA & Humane Society 38-foot Mobile Spay/Neuter Unit Visiting Peterborough In August

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has rolled out its new SPCA Mobile Animal Wellness Services trailer to give pet owners across the province access to critical resources like spay/neuter services, and the trailer will be making a stop in Peterborough August 16th and August 17th. 

The 38-foot trailer, which was made possible because of a grant provided by the Pet Valu family of stores through its Giving Back Project, features two surgical tables where 20-30 spay/neuter procedures can be performed per day. The new mobile unit is part of the Ontario SPCA’s ongoing efforts to control pet overpopulation and help build relationships with pet owners and their local veterinarian.

Photo courtesy Ontario SPCA

The trailer will be visiting communities across the province, including Peterborough—its location in the city will be announced later this summer, Ontario SPCA tells us, keep an eye out here—reaching underserved areas to provide spay/neuter surgeries, wellness exams, microchipping and vaccinations. 

“It’s important that we spay and neuter as many animals as possible to reduce the number of unwanted animals who end up homeless on the streets trying to survive,” says Daryl Vaillancourt, Chief, Humane Programs & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “This new mobile unit will also serve as an important educational tool to help pets live longer, healthier lives by educating pet owners about the importance of routine veterinary care with a local veterinarian.” 

Photo courtesy Ontario SPCA

Financial donations are needed to help stock the unit with medical supplies and cover operating costs, to ensure this mobile unit can visit as many communities as possible.

Any donations received by midnight on June 27th will be matched, thanks to a generous pool of Ontario SPCA supporters.

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Riverview Park & Zoo Welcomes Two New Otters, Boldt & Lawrence

The Riverview Park & Zoo has announced new additions to the zoo family in the form of two new otters, Boldt and Lawrence, who come to the zoo from the Aquatarium in Brockville, Ontario.

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

Boldt and Lawrence, both young males, join fellow otters Melissa and Splish in the exhibit.

Make sure to say Hi to the new fellas next time you drop by the zoo, which is free to the public.

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

Keep in mind that the zoo train is not slated to open until mid-June this season due to delays.

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